The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate the process of amending the new Electoral Act by expunging the contentious Clause in Section 84 subsection 12 which makes it mandatory for political appointees to resign from their positions before participating as delegates at political party congresses and conventions or, as aspirants to elective offices.
The IPAC National Chairman, Yabagi Sani who disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja said the clause runs contrary to the provisions of Sections 40 and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the inalienable fundamental rights of every eligible citizen to participate in the electoral processes.
He said the amendment will bring the Act in tune with the Constitution which stipulates that political office holders are only to vacate their positions or appointments, thirty days before the elections.
The IPAC Chairman noted that the recently signed Electoral Act has finally put to rest perennial issues of electoral malpractices and manipulations that has bedevilled Nigeria’s electoral system. Adding that, with the latest development the nation’s electoral process can measure up to global best practices where citizens are empowered to elect their representatives and political leaders.
The IPAC Chairman while commending President, Muhammadu Buhari for appending the Electoral Act said with the new law, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC will change the political landscape of the nation positively.
